Chapter 12: Have and have not.

Harry didn't say anything for a full minute.

Had Mcgonagel just made a joke?

Even the Grangers were stumped, all three visibly scratching their heads.

Sirius, having heard it all before, was scratching an itch on his backside.

'Er... What?' Harry managed at last.

'Well not literally.' the Headmistress continued,

'He didn't own the castle as such, but shortly before his death he keyed all the wards and enchantments of Hogwarts to you. In essence you have all the powers I do.'

Smiling at Harry she added,

'I trust you won't be too unfair in taking house points from Slytherin?'

All Harry could manage was a strained nod.

'Now, you have quarters here, but if you wish, you may return to Grimauld place with Sirius. The Fidelius has been recast with your godfather as the keeper.'

Regaining his powers of speech Harry mumbled his thanks and stood to leave the room, behind the Grangers whom he noted had been strangely quiet throughout the conversation.

'Harry?' McGonagel called just as he was leaving the door.

'Happy early birthday.' and which that she tossed a beautifully wrapped package at him.

Catching it easily thanks to years of quiditch, Harry smiled and thanked his headmistress before leaving the room, never hearing her final remark,

'I hope you know what you're doing Albus.'

#

Sirius had proven himself still a marauder at heart by inviting everyone to the Three Broomsticks for a drink, on Harry's tab, before manfully aperating both the elder Grangers side-along whilst Harry, who could get away with just about anything, took a protesting Hermione.

With a slight pop from Sirius and a low rumbling like distant thunder from Harry all five people found themselves facing a small empty alley between number eleven and thirteen Grimauld place.

'Harry Potter's home is at number 12 Grimauld place.' he whispered to each in turn.

Instantly the huge mansion sprang into being, much to the discomfiture of Hermione's parents.

Opening the door, Sirius lead them all into the kitchen.

The place was still as old and stuffy and dark as ever.

'Sorry 'bout tha,' Sirius said in most remarkable imitation of Hagrid.

'I've been back since the day before last, and I was unconscious until this morning, so I haven't really had a chance to begin fixing the Grim-old-place up.'

At that he giggled madly at his own joke and set about preparing dinner, which burnt.

In the end Sirius snuck out under a glamour charm and bought them all fish and chips, much to the delight of crookshanks.

No-one knew how he'd gotten there, it seemed that during the death eater occupation, the half-kneazle had fled, wandering London until he came upon the then unoccupied number 12.

Thus when the Fidelius had been cast it had been cast 'cat-et-al' and crookshanks was now part of the house as much as the walls.

He certainly wasn't complaining.

Finishing dinner everyone headed up to the rooms Sirius had 'assigned' them.

Harry was right across the hall from Hermione on the first floor, whilst her Parents were on the third floor... With his (Sirius's) bedroom between them and the stairs...

You had to admire the man's tact, Harry thought sarcasticly but smiled none the less.

Getting into bed without bothering to change Harry was asleep in seconds, his final thought of the day was simple.

Wow.

AN: I KNOW, I KNOW, BORING! I just needed a filler chapter to get them to Grimauld. At least the Crookshanks bit was cute, wasn't it? Review and let me know?

Next chapter: Renovations and Revelations!